Insurance

The University would cover any liability issues on Vendor’s Row since it is part of the VU and thus, part of Western’s facilities. Western, as are all public institutions of higher education in the State of Washington, self insured. Any decisions on liability would proceed thru the tort court process. The AS, as an entity of Western, is covered under Western’s self insurance process. The AS does have some specialized insurance which is generally based on an activity such as KUGS.

As an independent entity, we will carry insurance. We will be able to supply the campus with the food suppliers who don't carry insurance. We'll do this by creating an overhead umbrella like Growing Washington. We have been quoted a cost of $2,220 for $7 million of liability insurance (by Duane Sammons). Our budget can handle us carrying a much higher insurance policy. We are happy to work with the University to we carry an insurance policy that ensures everyone is comfortable.

Initial Objectives
  • Research how insurance policies work.
    • The same amount of coverage can cost $15,000 or $50,000 depending which company you choose. Get quotes from three or four companies for the same type of policies.
    • Insurance companies are evaluated and rated by various rating services. Among the most common are: A.M. Best, Moody?s Investor Services, Standard & Poor?s Insurance Rating Services, and Weiss Research.
    • You can get more information on an insurance company by contacting your state insurance department, the National Insurance Producer Registry or the Better Business Bureau. You want to find out if there are many complaints registered and the validity of such complaints
    • Service: You will want to deal with an insurance company that provides fast and sufficient answers to your questions; reviews and responds to claims in a fair and timely manner; and provides both accessibility and a degree of comfort.
  • Get as close to no insurance for farmers and school pays insurance as possible
  • Develop optional program to help give farmers insurance




    Insurance Providers
    Duane Sammons Insurance Center

    http://www.duanesammons.com/ 1414 Broadway Avenue, Bellingham Washington 98225** 360-647-0090
    Liz Carson is our agent
    Based on the current numbers in the business plan the Liability Insurance premium is $1,102.00 per year with a $2,000,000 Limit of Liability.
    Umbrella with a $5,000,000 limit is as high as I can go and the annual premium on that is $1,100. That will give a total Liability Limit of $7,000,000. costing $2,202.00 per year.